Sunday Drive: Cumberland Gap

One thing that I like to do (for any of those that have been on journeys with me) is to find a place and GO, especially on a pretty day.  The pictures tonight were taken this past weekend at the Cumberland Gap.  For me, I enjoy going to the Cumberland Gap because of the scenery, but also the accessibility.  It is only about an hour from London, which makes for a beautiful drive as the terrain chains from hills to mountains.  The Cumberland Gap was a pass along Cumberland Mountain portion of the Appalachian Mountains.  Historically, people used this pass to cross from Tennessee and Virginia into "Kaintuck".  Dr. Thomas Walker and his crew of surveyors crossed into Kentucky via the Cumberland Gap (c. 1750).  Daniel Boone widened the original path to make it more accessible to pioneers.

Although now a tunnel takes you straight through the mountains, it is still nice to go to the Gap and be a "tourist" for the day.  Coming from I-75, you will go past Corbin, Barbourville, and Middlesboro.  From there, you have the choice of going up to the Pinnacle (which is slightly more than 2000ft above sea level) or continue on 25E through the tunnel.  After going through the tunnel, you are at an intersection to where you can continue straight into TN or go left into Virginia.  Now, I will say that if you continue on either of these routs then you will miss a hidden jewel in Cumberland Gap, TN  (home to Lincoln Memorial University).  Cumberland Gap, TN, preserved by the rerouting of the primary road outside of the town, gives you in essence a tourist view of small town Appalachia.  If you go, park your vehicle...walk around...and be a tourist.  Have dinner in a local diner and walk around town.  Go see the Iron Furnace or the bicycle museum.  Below are just a few pictures from the town.  The pictures does not do this place justice and it is worth a trip.

The last picture is one of the views from the Pinnacle.  After leaving Cumberland Gap, go back out to the main road and hit 25E going West.  Get off at the first exit to go to the Pinnacle.  After going up a few windy turns, you will come to the parking area.  From there, it is only about 200ft to the Pinnacle.  It is here that you can stand in one place and see three different states.